Last year cash-strapped Hinchingbrooke in Cambridgeshire became the first general hospital to be run by a for-profit health group, Circle, signalling that the private sector might well save others from closure.

ECONOMIST: NHS reform

One compound synthesised by Dr Blackwell's team is more effective than the natural signalling chemical at turning on this group behaviour and works even when there are not enough bacteria around to induce the process naturally.

ECONOMIST: Novel antibiotics